Mass. Medicaid gives $73 allowance for nursing home residents. Bill would add more

This article was originally published on MassLive.com.

BOSTON — Elizabeth Leabitt, a resident at Hale House, a rest home in Boston, makes a “wish list” each year of items she needs. She has $72.80 each month in a personal needs allowance to spend on anything the rest home doesn’t provide, like clothing, shoes or a cell phone.

A new coat and hat topped her list last year. “That took many months of putting away $20,” she said. “It took me three months to get the shoes I’m wearing right now.”

At both rest homes — long-term care facilities with 24-hour supervision but aimed at those who don’t need regular nursing care — and nursing homes, those on Medicaid give up their income, like Social Security or a pension, to pay for their care and are given a monthly allowance. The amount differs by state, and in Massachusetts it’s currently $72.80…

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